Holy Week 2014
With the conquest of the Canary Islands in 1500, religious orders began to supplant the indigenous beliefs and from that moment, the main celebrations started to commemorate the Catholic rite.
Holy Week in La Laguna is the oldest of the Canary Islands and this is probably the place where people feel it more intensely.
Holy Week 2014
A penitent walks with a candle during 'La Procesión del Silencio' celebrated on Easter in San Cristobal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, Thursday, April 17, 2014.(Andrés Gutiérrez/The Stand)
Holy Week 2014
A group of 'Costaleros' of the 'La Sentencia' brotherhood, wait for their turn to go in procession during Holy Week in San Cristobal de la Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, Sunday, April 13, 2014. (Andrés Gutiérrez/The Stand)
Holy Week 2014
Holy Week 2014
As a contrast with the atmosphere, a group of children from one of the brotherhoods are joking in the church while waiting for the start of the Procession of the Silence through the streets of the historical town of San Cristobal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, Friday, April 18, 2014. (Andrés Gutiérrez/The Stand)
Holy Week
During Holy Week processions, the 'Costaleros' must stop several times to rest. After each stop, the group of 'costaleros' resume the march jumping together with more than 2000 Kg on their backs. Sunday, San Cristobal de la Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, April 20, 2014. (Andrés Gutiérrez/The Stand)
Holy Week 2014
A participant holds a palm branch during Palm Sunday procession through the streets of San Cristobal de la Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, Sunday, April 13, 2014. (Andrés Gutiérrez/The Stand)
Holy Week 2014
Some minutes before the sunset, Braulio one of the most experienced 'costaleros' waits outside the church to breath and calm down just before the beginning of the procession. La punta del Hidalgo, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, Monday, April 14, 2014. (Andrés Gutiérrez/The Stand)
Holy Week 2014
Holy Week 2014
Holy Week 2014
Two penitents talk inside the San Cristobal de la Laguna's Cathedral, minutes before the start of the Easter processions. San Cristobal de la Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, Friday, April 17, 2014. (Andrés Gutiérrez/The Stand)
Holy Week 2014
An altar boy looks at the camera during the Holy Week processions through the colonial streets of San Cristobal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain Friday, April 17, 2014. (Andrés Gutiérrez/The Stand)
Holy Week 2014
A 'Costalero' holds over his head a piece of cloth that falls down over his back and protects him of the weight of the structure he carries on his back. Sunday, San Cristobal de la Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, April 20, 2014. (Andrés Gutiérrez/The Stand)
Holy Week 2014
Holy Week 2014
Holy Week 2014
Outside of the church, a group of musicians awaits the start of the procession of Holy Week in San Cristobal de la Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, Wednesday, April 16, 2014. (Andrés Gutiérrez/The Stand)
Holy Week 2014
Holy Week 2014
Four members of the 'El Cristo' brotherhood, raise the Altar-Bed on which the image of Christ rests inside San Cristobal de La Laguna´s Cathedral. San Cristobal de la Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, Friday, April 17, 2014. (Andrés Gutiérrez/The Stand)
Holy Week 2014
A penitent of the 'Hermandad del Santísimo de la Santa Iglesia Catedral y Sección Penitencial' brotherhood is getting ready inside the church to go into one of the processions of Holy Week in San Cristobal de la Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, Wednesday, April 16, 2014. (Andrés Gutiérrez/The Stand)
Holy Week 2014
Holy Week 2014
Holy Week
The big structure with the carvings on the top, are covered by a big cloth with some grilled windows that allow 'costaleros' to breath some fresh air while they are carrying the heavy structureefore the beginning of the procession. San Cristobal de la Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, Monday, April 14, 2014. (Andrés Gutiérrez/The Stand)
Holy Week 2014
In the evening a group of 'Nazarenes' or penitents, leaves the church during the Holy Week processions in San Cristobal de la Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, Tuesday, April 15, 2014.(Andrés Gutiérrez/The Stand)
Holy Week 2014
An old lady watches the procession through her window. Most of attendees are long lived people so this tradition seems to be dying every year. San Cristobal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, Sunday, April 20, 2014. (Andrés Gutiérrez/The Stand)